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Bernard Lagat Spoke with the press at the Fairmont Hotel In Monaco on Saturday. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Both athletes fielded questions ranging from debut marathons to the secrets of longevity.

On the eve of the World Athletics Gala in Monaco, world indoor 3,000m champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia and American record holder in the 5,000m Bernard Lagat spoke with the press. Defar was asked about her recent half-marathon debut at the ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon in September where she won in 1:07:45. “Before Philadelphia I was a little scared because it was my first half marathon.” she said. “But I only had problems in the last kilometer. But I’m still focusing on the track. Maybe in the future I will think more about the roads.”

Defar also pointed out that she is not sure when she will run her debut marathon. “I haven’t decided yet when I’ll run the marathon. But I am thinking about it. But not before the 2012 Olympics,” she said.

Thirty-five-year-old Lagat was asked about the secret to his longevity. “Trying to stay young,” he laughed. “Seriously, training hard. Focusing on certain performances. And focusing on certain competitions.”

Duncan Larkin

Duncan Larkin is a freelance journalist and author who’s been covering the sport of running for over a decade. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. He wrote the book RUN SIMPLE, and coaches runners of all abilities.
You can learn more about him here: http://roadsmillslaps.tumblr.com/about